W-Shaped Tableware Handle Cross-Section for Strength Without Breaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable plastic tableware handles are prone to breaking, leading to safety hazards and increased production costs due to insufficient strength and weight, while also being inefficient in stacking and storage.
Innovation Solution
A tableware handle with a 'W' shape cross-section, featuring convex and concave structures, reinforcing grooves and ribs, and a crescent-shaped positioning concave structure, which provides uniform strength and stability, allowing for lightweight and safe design without the need for X-shaped reinforcing ribs, enabling stable stacking and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the handle is increased to improve strength, then the product strength is strengthened, but the weight increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing different wall thicknesses at different segments of the handle. The handle body has a first wall thickness while the neck portion has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first. This localized thickening at the neck portion (where strength is most needed) provides adequate strength without uniformly increasing the weight of the entire handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into distinct segments (handle body and neck portion) with different structural characteristics. The neck portion is segmented as a separate structural element with enhanced thickness and reinforcing ribs, allowing differential strength distribution throughout the handle structure.
2Strength
If X-shaped reinforcing ribs are added to the handle back to improve strength, then the product strength is strengthened, but the stress concentration increases causing easier breaking at surrounding points and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding X-shaped reinforcing ribs that create stress concentration, the patent uses a localized thickened neck portion with smooth transitions. The reinforcing ribs are integrated into the neck portion structure rather than being added as separate elements, eliminating stress concentration points while maintaining local strength enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of stress concentration from reinforcing ribs into a benefit by using smooth, continuous thickening of the neck portion. The design transforms what would be a stress concentration problem into a stress distribution solution, where the gradual thickening distributes loads more evenly without creating weak points.
3Ease of manufacture
If the handle structure is simplified to reduce production cost, then the production cost is reduced, but the stacking stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the cross-section of the handle, with the neck portion having different thickness characteristics compared to the handle body. This asymmetric structure provides inherent stacking stability through geometric interlocking and weight distribution, eliminating the need for complex symmetric reinforcing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck portion features curved transitions and rounded contours rather than sharp angles or flat surfaces. This curvature provides smooth stress distribution and creates natural stacking interfaces that enhance stability when multiple tableware items are stacked, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tableware handle is provided. The tableware handle includes a handle body with a central axis, wherein the handle body has a cross section of “W” shape which is axisymmetrically distributed along the central axis. A tableware is provided. The tableware includes the tableware handle discussed above and a food taking portion fixedly connected with each other. The tableware handle and tableware thereof having a lightweight and good strength, are especially not easy to be broken and can be stacked stably. Moreover, there are small stacking clearance between the tableware handles, saving packaging, storage and transportation space. In additional, the tableware handle and tableware thereof are safe to use, light, comfortable and environmental protected.